Clostridium difficile infection: new developments in epidemiology and pathogenesis

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2009 Jul;7(7):526-36. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2164.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is now considered to be one of the most important causes of health care-associated infections. C. difficile infections are also emerging in the community and in animals used for food, and are no longer viewed simply as unpleasant complications that follow antibiotic therapy. Since 2001, the prevalence and severity of C. difficile infection has increased significantly, which has led to increased research interest and the discovery of new virulence factors, and has expanded and focused the development of new treatment and prevention regimens. This Review summarizes the recent epidemiological changes in C. difficile infection, our current knowledge of C. difficile virulence factors and the clinical outcomes of C. difficile infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clostridioides difficile / drug effects
  • Clostridioides difficile / metabolism
  • Clostridioides difficile / pathogenicity*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / drug therapy
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / epidemiology*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / microbiology*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism
  • Virulence Factors / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Virulence Factors